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BC-SOC--Spain-Racism

BC-SOC--Spain-Racism,144

Levante player accuses Celta's Aspas of racist insult

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Levante midfielder Jefferson Lerma has accused Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas of using a racist slur to insult him during a Spanish league soccer game. Lerma tells GOL television that "these acts of racism can't happen." Spain international Aspas denies racially abusing Lerma. Lerma, who is black, says that he reported the alleged abuse to the referee, who made no mention of the incident in his match report.

MADRID (AP) â" Levante midfielder Jefferson Lerma has accused Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas of using a racist slur to insult him during a Spanish league match on Sunday.

Lerma tells GOL television that "these acts of racism can't happen."

Aspas, who is a Spain international, denies racially abusing Lerma.

Aspas tells Celta's website that "what is said on the pitch, stays on the pitch, so I won't repeat what he said to me. In any case, I did not say what he says I did."

Lerma, who is black, says that he reported the alleged abuse to referee Alfonso Alvarez, but claims that Alvarez responded that he was tired of his complaints.

Alvarez made no mention of the incident in his report.

Levante issued a statement saying it fully supported Lerma and its "rejection of all racism in football."